Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > News > Santa Claus comes early

Santa Claus comes early

By Ali Blasing
Chaminade Silversword

 

Santa Claus showed up early this year to wish many young boys and girls, as well as the
adults who still believe, “Merry Christmas!” last Thursday during the 65th annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade. Chaminade University co-hosted the event with Saint Louis School as it started on the base of Chaminade’s campus.

“The parade was super fantastic!” said Kay Stone, director of campus ministry and worship and sacramental preparation. “I have been involved in helping for 11 years and this was the most school spirit we have ever had!”

Chaminade’s Campus Ministry walked in the parade with both students and faculty dressed for the holiday spirit. Some students were dressed up as Santa’s helpers and elves, as others showed the religious side of our school with a Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. All Chaminade students were welcomed to walk in the parade.

The parade started at 6 p.m. and headed all the way up to Koko Head Avenue, where it ended with the official lighting of the Kaimuki Christmas tree on top of Pu‘u O Kaimuki on Menehune hill.

If you attended the event you would have thought it was Halloween all over again. Children who weren’t involved in the parade stood on the sidewalk holding out plastic bags, waiting for parade walkers to come by and drop in a candy cane, some type of yummy treat or glow stick bracelets.

With hundreds of people covered in Santa hats, Christmas lights, glow sticks, as well as the many flashing police car blue lights to block the roads was a sight to see. Wai‘a‘lae Avenue was lit up for the Christmas spirit.

Besides Chaminade University’s involvement in the parade, it also included many Kaimuki community residents. Saint Louis ROTC, Kaimuki High School ROTC as well as Homecoming king and queens, boy scouts, girl scouts, McDonald's, Subaru, Baton Hawaii, and many dogs dressed up in Christmas outfits celebrated and wish the hundreds of spectators a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

The brightest to walk in the parade was Wai‘a‘lae School’s float that consisted of a blow-up snow globe with penguins swirling around while pulling a truck full of 20 young keiki wearing penguin suits. The snow globe even produced bubbles to excite the viewers.

If you need more inspiration to get into the holiday spirit, head down to the Loo Student Center and view the new Christmas tree, or hang around campus until evening when you can view the beautifully bright Christmas lights on the front of campus.